Chapter 2: Problem 87
Define the following terms: acids, bases, oxoacids, oxoanions, and hydrates.
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Acids
The acidic solutions tend to have a sour taste, which is why they are present in foods like lemons and vinegar. In terms of pH, acids have a value less than 7. The pH scale measures the acidity or basicity of a solution, with lower numbers indicating higher acidity.
Acids also have the property of turning blue litmus paper red, a simple test to identify an acidic solution. Examples of common acids include hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), and citric acid.
Bases
These substances have a pH value greater than 7, indicating their basic nature. One intriguing property of bases is their ability to turn red litmus paper blue, providing an easy way to test for basicity.
Some common examples of bases include sodium hydroxide (NaOH), often used in cleaning products, and calcium hydroxide, found in limewater.
Oxoacids
In solution, oxoacids ionize to release hydrogen ions \((H^+)\) and an oxoanion. The most well-known oxoacids include sulfuric acid \((H_2SO_4)\) and nitric acid \((HNO_3)\).
These acids are crucial in various chemical processes and are widely used in industry, such as in fertilizers and explosives. They exhibit the typical acidic properties, like changing the color of litmus paper and having a low pH.
Oxoanions
A clear example is the sulfate ion \((SO_4^{2-})\), derived from sulfuric acid \((H_2SO_4)\). The presence of oxygen often indicates that these ions play an active role in reactions, such as electron transfer or acting as ligands in coordination complexes.
Oxoanions are vital in both chemistry and biology, being part of metabolic pathways and environmental processes like nutrient cycling.
Hydrates
The water, or "water of crystallization," is chemically bonded to the compound, sometimes resulting in dramatic changes to its properties and appearance when removed by heating.
Hydrates are common, with examples such as gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate) and copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate. These materials are used in everyday applications, from construction to education, because removing water can often change their texture and volume.